What is Alexander Technique?
Alexander Technique is a form of movement therapy designed to improve posture and to correct poor movement habits in everyday life, thereby alleviated muscle tension and aches in the body.
The Alexander Technique was was developed by Frederick Matthias Alexander, a Shakespearean actor from Australia who would notice that his voice became strained while performing. He observed himself in the mirror and noticed habitual movements, postures, and patterns of breathing that once corrected, improved the quality of his voice.
The technique involves involves relearning basic movements, such as standing and sitting, and correcting patterns of misuse, such as the way one holds their head.
Conditions
- Poor posture
- Stress and stress-related conditions
- Anxiety and depression
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Performance enhancement in dancers, singers, musicians
What a Typical Treatment is Like
A typical Alexander Technique session is 30 to 45 minutes long. The usual course of treatments is 15 to 30 classes, depending on how the client progresses and the amount of practice done in between treatments.
Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. The practitioner often asks the client to lie on a table with knees bent. The practitioner then makes adjustments to the client's posture before asking him or her to stand.
The remainder of the treatment is often done standing. The practitioner adjusts and modifies the client's posture so that muscles move with "minimum effort and maximum efficiency". The client is given instructions on how to move to prevent old habits and teach new movements and postures.
